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Las Cruces child declared in remission after cancer fight

Malignant brain tumor slowed 10-year-old, but has not defeated her, family

By Lindsey Anderson

landerson@lcsun-news.com @l_m_anderson on Twitter

Posted:
01/23/2014 04:50:09 PM MST

Robin Zielinski Sun-News Savannah Apodaca, 10, of Las Cruces cuts into a cake with her father Phillip Apodaca on Thursday as she celebrates great news with her family — cancer remission. Savannah was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in October 2012. She was surprised with pink streamers, balloons, and a large plush unicorn when she arrived home from a hospital visit in El Paso.

LAS CRUCES >> Savannah Apodaca, 10, went to El Paso Children's Hospital on Thursday morning as a young girl fighting a malignant brain tumor. She came home a winner Thursday afternoon, after more than a year of surgeries, chemotherapy, physical and occupational therapy.

Savannah completed chemotherapy last week and was declared to be in remission. Family and friends threw a surprise party for her Thursday after she arrived home from a weekly checkup at the hospital.

The Sun-News featured Phillip as one of Las Cruces' exemplary dads in a Father's Day feature last year.

The single dad took custody of his three children after the death of their mother, Jenna Apodaca Rios, on Oct. 1, 2012.

Days later, on Oct. 16, 2012, Savannah was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor.

Phillip left his job at Golden Corral and has stayed home to care for Savannah while also raising Gavyn, 12, and Serenity, 9.

Before her diagnosis, Savannah had been complaining of headaches, even hitting her fist on the side of her head to make the pain go away. Phillip took her to the hospital, and an MRI determined she had a brain tumor.

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Within hours Savannah was flown to El Paso, then to Arizona for a six-hour brain surgery. The surgeon left 1 percent of the tumor behind, but chemotherapy and radiation have since killed it, Phillip said.

"She's come a very long way," family friend Lillian Aguilar said while watching Savannah check out the decorations. "We're very proud of her."

Savannah limps slightly, a remnant of her surgery. A nicked nerve paralyzed her left side, though physical and occupational therapy have since helped her regain nearly all motion.

Savannah will have weekly checkups in El Paso for the next few months, and will undergo MRIs every three months for years. Her tumor could still return.

"We have to take it day by day," Phillip said.

Savannah, a fourth-grader, has been home-schooled since her diagnosis. The family hopes the honor roll student can return to school in 2015, after she regains her strength and her immune system improves.

Grandmother Lydia Apodaca has been the family's primary breadwinner.

Now that Savannah is in remission, Lydia says she hopes to retire soon and take all of her grandchildren to San Antonio, Texas, to meet each other.

"I'm waiting for her to just be able to travel and get better," she said. "I can hardly wait for that to happen. I just ask the good Lord to take care of her."